While there isn’t a drastic difference between Olympic men’s ice hockey and the NHL, casual fans are almost certainly going to take notice in a few different rules. They might also notice the lack of fighting in the international game.
Though today’s NHL doesn’t come close to the level of fighting seen in the days of the 1980s enforcers, it’s still a thing that happens in the NHL. A dirty hit, targeting a star player or just ill will between competitors can all lead to a fight breaking out. But really, the NHL’s tolerance of fighting is the exception across the global hockey community rather than the rule, and Olympic hockey strictly prohibits fights.
According to international hockey rules, if a fight breaks out, it’s an automatic match penalty (an ejection and additional five-minute major). Plus, you always run the risk of a suspension or additional discipline against violating teams — it’s simply not worth the risk with so much on the line. Via the…
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